The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-12-10
An Address.


To the White Democrats Of Ouachita Ra,isA:
The committee appointed by tho Central
Committee of white Democrats held ON the
5th inst, to draft an address to the white
Democrats of Ouachita, submit the follow
ing to the people Of Ouachita and surround
ing parishes:
When in the course Of political affairs the
aggressive and tyrannous acts of q minority
of the Democratic party by use of illegiti-
mate means applied to party machinery,
deprive . majority of their rights, and vir-
tually disfranchise them, true regard for
the interest of their State, their parish and
their party requires that this majority
should declare the causes which impel them
to resistance, and TO use all legal means to
re-organize in our parish that party which
has been corrupted and debauched through
tho influence Of q few individuals for selfish
purposes.
We hold that our government in its in
ceptioi, organization and theory is q WHITE
MANS GOVERNMENT.
That tho Democratic party Of Louisiana
is essentially sohite mans party.
That whilst we would deprive the colored
man Of no rights guaranteed to him under
the Fourteenth Amendment of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, and the acts Of
Congress hereunder, yet for our own, and
the co1ored mans security and protection,
we protest against extending those rights
beyond the letter and intendment of the
law. The Democratic party of the Nation
has been successfully maintained on this
principle!
Prudence would dictate that party rule
loug established should not be changed for
nd al
rience has shown, that mankind are more
disposed to suffer while evils are siderable,
than TO right themselves by aboIishIng the
forms to which they are accustomed'C
Bat when long and systematic train OF
usurpations and acts in direct conflict with
party percedents and usages, evince de-
sign to reduce the white man to position
subordinate to the negro; when tho few
white men who have negroes under their
and sentiments of the white Democrats of
the parish and when by this illegitimate
power they can set at defiance the wishes
the right, it is the duty of honest freemen,
to throw off their allegiance to this illegally
constituted minority who have seized the
power in our parish. to provide means Tor =,
tegrity Of the party of which they are
members.
Such has been the patient suffering Of the
the necessity which constrains them to use
all legal means within their power to pur-
jfy the party in their midst and to preserve
their rights as American citizens. ,..
composed of a few individuals of wealth
and influence and commonly known as
'.the Ring is a history Of arbitrary acts
Democracy, all having in direct object to
assume the exclusive control in parish af-
fairs, and to continue themselves, their
connections and friends, in Office, regard
Loco Of "a HviSl,Qa and VOfAa IF q majority
of the white people!-
To prove this let sacts be submitted to all
candid roaders-
They have nullified and rendered vain
the objects for which the white men of
Ouachita united and banded themselves
together as one man, in order to throw off
of the negroes as their tools, as the Repub-
licans used them prior to 1876.
They have thus by adopting the methods
of terror made use Of by the Radicals,
virtually DISTINGUISHED the white voters of
Ouachita by the enforced vote of negroes
under their control.
They, on certain Sunday in August,
Meeting" fixed the entire ticket to be elect
ed in April 1884, on the ground that they.
throught the negro votes Of the first and third
wards could control the entire parish and
disregard the wishes Of the people.
They made use of their power in the con-
vention held January Dist, 1884, not only to
select their ticket, but to perpetuate their
power, CnEOuSu h1l AAAcHaAs uupE0-
cedented and undemocratic Parish Execu-
tive Committed!
They, instead of following the plan al
ways adopted in National, State and Sena-
torial Conventions Of giving each State or
parish an equal representation, so arranged
the committee that wards one, three and
four, could form quorum, control, and be
independent Of the remaining six wards OF
tho parish.
They deprived tho white people. aud
especially those living west Of the Ouachita
river, in 1884, as they have in 1887, of any
voice or power in the selection of officers,
or in control of parish affairs!
They have repeated in 1887 tho acts OF
1888 in privately selecting all candidates
months before the meeting Of a contention!
They have made the Dem ocratic Conven-
ton Of Ouachita merely the mouth-piece to
ratify and proclaim the acts Of this "ruling
power"
Tho chairman has made eight appoint
ments to fill vacancies on the Executive
| adopted by the convention of "a: whilst
the only excuse given is, that their chair
man was ignorant OF his duty and power
| in the premises.
( They have with an illegal minority called
mass meetings and fixed the date of pri-
mary elections and conventions, totally
dsrogarding tho will and wishes ofthe peo-
pie!
They have ignored, and in fact treated
with contempt, an earnest petition signed
| by large majority of the white voters OF
| Ouachita, asking in respectful terms, that
| the vote in all primary elections should be
| confined TO the white Democrats of our
parish!